Spicy Shrimp & Quinoa Skillet

Spicy Shrimp & Quinoa Skillet

Julia

This Spicy Shrimp & Quinoa Skillet brings restaurant-quality flavor to your weeknight dinner table in under 30 minutes. Succulent shrimp are seasoned with a bold blend of spices and seared to perfection, then combined with fluffy quinoa and a vibrant medley of bell peppers, corn, and tomatoes. The result is a colorful, protein-packed meal that satisfies both your hunger and your craving for bold, exciting flavors.

Inspired by Latin American cuisine, this one-pan wonder features the perfect balance of heat from cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes, brightness from fresh lime juice, and earthiness from cumin. The quinoa serves as an ideal base, soaking up all the delicious flavors while providing a complete protein and gluten-free alternative to traditional rice or pasta dishes.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and convenience. Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development as the ingredients meld together. The quinoa is cooked directly in the pan with broth, infusing it with savory depth, while the vegetables maintain their crisp-tender texture. Whether you're following a gluten-free diet or simply looking for a nutritious, flavorful dinner that comes together quickly, this dish delivers on all fronts.

Nutrition

35 minutes
None servings
425 calories
Fat 13.00g
Carbs 42.00g
Protein 35.00g

Ingredients

1 cupquinoa, rinsed and drained
2 cupsgluten-free chicken or vegetable broth
1.5 lbslarge shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tbspolive oil, divided
1 mediumred bell pepper, diced
1 mediumyellow bell pepper, diced
1 smallred onion, diced
4 clovesgarlic, minced
1 cupcorn kernels, fresh or frozen
1 cupcherry tomatoes, halved
1 tspchili powder
1 tspground cumin
1 tsppaprika
1/2 tspcayenne pepper
1/4 tspred pepper flakes
1 tspsalt, divided
1/2 tspblack pepper
2 mediumlime, juiced
1/4 cupfresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
1 mediumavocado, sliced (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
measuring spoons
measuring cups
wooden spoon or spatula
paper towels
fork
knife
medium mixing bowl
fine-mesh strainer
citrus juicer
large skillet with lid

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense, balanced meal is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing sustained energy from complete protein quinoa, lean shrimp, healthy fats, and fiber-rich vegetables that help maintain satiety throughout the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe exemplifies the 80/20 principle with over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods including shrimp, quinoa, fresh vegetables, and healthy oils, while allowing for satisfying flavors and convenience without being overly restrictive.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including omega-3-containing shrimp, colorful antioxidant-rich vegetables, whole grain quinoa, and anti-inflammatory spices like cumin, turmeric (in chili powder), and cayenne. The use of olive oil and fresh lime juice further enhances its anti-inflammatory properties while avoiding processed foods and refined ingredients.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its use of whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh shrimp, quinoa, fresh vegetables, and simple seasonings. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no refined sugars, artificial additives, or processed components.

DASH Diet

This recipe supports DASH Diet goals with its emphasis on lean protein (shrimp), whole grains (quinoa), abundant vegetables rich in potassium and magnesium, and minimal added sodium. The use of herbs, spices, and fresh lime juice for flavor instead of salt makes it heart-healthy and blood pressure-friendly.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is diabetic-friendly with its low glycemic index quinoa, lean protein from shrimp that doesn't affect blood sugar, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats that help stabilize blood glucose levels. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients support steady blood sugar management.

Flexible Dieting

This recipe fits flexible dieting principles by providing nutrient-dense whole foods with balanced macronutrients from shrimp, quinoa, vegetables, and healthy fats, while being easy to portion and track for precise macro counting.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is completely gluten-free, using naturally gluten-free quinoa as the grain base and gluten-free broth, with all other ingredients being whole, unprocessed foods like shrimp, vegetables, and spices that contain no gluten or gluten-containing additives.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features lean seafood protein, whole grain quinoa, omega-3-rich shrimp, abundant vegetables, and olive oil as the primary fat source while avoiding saturated fats, processed ingredients, and excessive sodium. The colorful vegetables provide antioxidants that support cardiovascular health.

High-Fiber Diet

This recipe provides excellent fiber content from quinoa (a high-fiber whole grain), bell peppers, corn, tomatoes, and other vegetables, delivering approximately 6-8 grams of fiber per serving to support digestive health and satiety.

High-Protein Diet

This recipe is excellent for high-protein diets, featuring 1.5 lbs of shrimp (approximately 30-35g protein per serving) combined with protein-rich quinoa, making it a complete protein powerhouse that supports muscle maintenance and satiety.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This recipe is ideal for IIFYM tracking with its balanced macronutrients from lean protein (shrimp), complex carbohydrates (quinoa, vegetables), and healthy fats (olive oil, avocado). The whole food ingredients and clear portions make it easy to calculate and track macros accurately.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense, protein-packed meal is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing sustained energy from complete protein quinoa, lean shrimp protein, healthy fats from olive oil and avocado, and fiber-rich vegetables that promote satiety throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating by offering a satisfying, flavorful meal with diverse textures and colors that honors both taste preferences and gentle nutrition, featuring protein, whole grains, vegetables, and healthy fats without restriction or guilt-inducing language.

Macro Diet

Perfect for macro tracking, this recipe provides a balanced combination of lean protein from shrimp, complex carbohydrates from quinoa and vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil and avocado, all from whole food sources that are easy to measure and log.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe follows Mayo Clinic Diet principles with its emphasis on lean protein (shrimp), whole grains (quinoa), abundant vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil and avocado. The nutrient-dense ingredients and appropriate portions support sustainable weight loss while providing complete nutrition.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly aligns with Mediterranean Diet principles by featuring seafood (shrimp) as the primary protein, abundant colorful vegetables (bell peppers, tomatoes, corn), whole grains (quinoa), and olive oil as the main fat source. The use of fresh herbs, garlic, and citrus for flavoring rather than excessive salt, along with the emphasis on plant-based ingredients, makes this an ideal Mediterranean-style meal.

MIND Diet

This MIND Diet-compliant recipe features brain-healthy ingredients including seafood (shrimp rich in omega-3s), whole grains (quinoa), abundant vegetables including bell peppers rich in antioxidants, and olive oil as the primary fat. It avoids butter, cheese, and fried foods while emphasizing nutrient-dense ingredients that support cognitive health.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is perfect for mindful eating with its vibrant colors, varied textures from tender shrimp to fluffy quinoa to crisp vegetables, and bold aromatic spices that engage multiple senses and encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each component.

Weight Watchers

This Weight Watchers-friendly recipe emphasizes lean protein from shrimp, whole grains from quinoa, and plenty of non-starchy vegetables, while using minimal added fats. The nutrient-dense ingredients and balanced macronutrients create a satisfying meal that supports weight management goals.

Instructions

1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer.

2 min
2

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place in a medium bowl. Season with chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

2 min
3
2 min

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.

4
4 min

Add the shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.

5
3 min

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the diced red onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.

6
1 min

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.

7
4 min

Add the diced bell peppers and corn to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until peppers begin to soften.

8
1 min

Add the rinsed quinoa to the skillet and stir to combine with the vegetables. Toast for 1 minute.

9
2 min

Pour in the broth and add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir well and bring to a boil.

10
15 min

Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.

11

Remove the lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and stir gently to combine.

1 min
12
2 min

Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, nestling them into the quinoa mixture. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes to heat through.

13

Remove from heat and drizzle with fresh lime juice. Toss gently to combine all ingredients.

14

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with sliced avocado if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions